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German press hail Bayern duo

BERLIN, April 8- The German press on Thursday hailed Bayern Munich and their Dutch star Arjen Robben the morning after the Bundesliga giants reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Bayern lost the second leg 3-2 in Old Trafford but won the tie on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw, to give them their first semi-final spot in Europe’s top competition since 2001.

And the sports pages of the national press were already looking forward to the team holding aloft the trophy for the fifth time.

"And now give us the trophy," headlined daily Bild on their sports page, who estimated that "beating Lyon in the semi-final is an achieveable mission."

Bild continued: "What a fantastic evening in Manchester! Nevertheless after 41 minutes of play Germany’s most titled club were trailing 3-0 and risked humiliation. But Bayern came back with a desire to win which gives hope of a final victory."

Die Welt evoked "Bayern Munich’s most beautiful defeat."

The daily highlighted "Sir Alex’s (Ferguson) grandiose bluff" when he included Wayne Rooney who had suffered a leg injury in the first leg in Germany and "Arjen Robben’s incredible volley" which put Bayern through.

Bi-weekly Kicker hailed the Dutch winger, who also made his return from injury, under the headline: "Incredible Robben."

"It’s been the slogan of Bayern’s 2009-10 European campaign: there is never anything normal … Is that going to continue? Against Lyon, Inter or Barca?," asked Kicker.